Moon Twp., PA (May 20, 2010) —On May 12, 2010, Heritage Valley Beaver opened a new Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit to assist patients in recovery from a stroke, hip fractures, major surgery, and other debilitating events. The unit offers ten spacious private rooms and on-site physical, occupational and speech therapy.

“Our primary goal is to help patients and their families adjust to changes in their lives and to learn the skills that are necessary to resume their daily activities,” said Ed Heinle, M.D., medical director of the unit.

Patient rehabilitation programs are planned by an interdisciplinary team of rehabilitation specialists, lead by a physiatrist, a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Patients participate in three hours of therapy per day. The goal of treatment is discharge either to home or to an assisted living facility.

“Teaching is focused on self-sufficiency and the assurance that patients and families have necessary information about the disease process and therapies to make effective self-care management decisions after discharge,” said Lori Guthrie, Administrative Director of Nursing. “Every patient has a unique rehabilitation program with specific goals and a discharge plan. The treatment program is geared to meet the individual needs, goals, abilities and lifestyle of each patient.”

Heritage Valley also offers an 11-bed rehabilitation unit at its Sewickley campus. The rehabilitation unit at Heritage Valley Sewickley opened in 1985.